Redskins Draft Ryan Anderson and Fabian Moreau on Day 2 of the 2017 Draft
By Steve Thomas
The Redskins declined to make any trades on day 2 of the 2017 draft and continued their pursuit of defense on Friday, foregoing several possibilities on offense to bring in help at linebacker and corner.
The Redskins drafted another Alabama product in round 2, selecting outside linebacker Ryan Anderson, who joins Washington’s first round pick, college teammate Jonathan Allen, on a revamped defensive front seven. Anderson, a first-team All-SEC selectee, is an outside linebacker who put up tremendous production for the Tide over a four year career, playing in 44 games, with 128 total tackles, 39.5 sacks, and 1 interception. Had he run faster than a 4.78 40 at the NFL combine, it is likely that he would have been a first round pick given his elite collegiate pedigree. As it stands, Anderson joins Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, Trent Murphy, and Junior Galette as the primary “edge” players in the Redskins’ 3-4 defense.
Like his teammate Allen, Anderson has tremendous leadership qualities and character, and was known as a leader of the Tide’s fearsome 2016 defense. Anderson, who hails from Daphne, Alabama, is versatile and has the body to play inside in a 3-4 defense, so while most experts believe that his best position is outside linebacker, don’t be surprised if the Redskins try to move him inside at certain times.
The Redskins selected UCLA cornerback Fabian Moreau in round 3, grabbing a talented player who fell in the draft due to injury concerns, most prominently a tore pectoral muscle suffered at UCLA’s pro day. He also suffered a Lisfranc injury to his left foot in 2015, causing him to miss the bulk of that season.
Moreau played 51 games over 5 years for the Bruins, with 148 tackles and 3 interceptions, earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in 2016. He is a bigger corner, standing 6’0” and weighing 206 lbs. Moreau is a tremendous athlete who did well at the combine measurables, running 4.35 in the 40, with a 38 inch vertical and a 136 inch broad jump. His injury will cause Moreau to potentially start the year on the PUP list, but he was considered to be potential first round talent who will eventually challenge Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland for playing time.
Moreau hails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He originally came to UCLA as a running back and transitioned to corner as a freshman.
The Redskins have 7 picks on day three of this year’s draft, including two 4th rounders, 1 5th, two 6th round picks, and two 7th rounders. Check back with us on Saturday for an update on the Redskins’ latest draft moves.